There are significant advantages for utilities which embrace cloud computing. The cloud can be less expensive, more reliable, more secure and can also innovate more quickly than in-house ICT departments.
The cloud's on-demand computing systems and standardized software tools make it easier for utilities to run their operations without having to devote resources to installing and maintaining in-house ICT departments or developing their own software.
With cloud computing, utilities need only pay for the assets they are using, including CPU, memory or storage capacity, and this can be increased or decreased quickly, depending on operational requirements.
Cloud Developments in AI
The development and evolution of cloud and AI are closely entwined. As AI becomes more advanced and capable, it will mesh with cloud computing applications, thus playing a major role in infrastructure development and end-user delivery.
Generally, machine learning and AI platforms need high processing power and data bandwidth, capabilities that are more easily expanded via the cloud than any system. That is, the two technologies complement each other to the maximum extent.
AI helps cloud services manage data while procuring reliable insights into user behavior, trends, interactions with customer-facing staff and many other information points. Again, the cost of creating AI could be spread across many users in the cloud, so the initial development costs could be reduced.
Two Modern Applications
Creative algorithms are programs that use machine learning to create anything from art to synthetic data to aid in system modeling. They can also train other AI programs.
Language modeling: as computers grow more able to understand human language and react to it, this will change the way utilities interact with customers.
Hybrid Cloud Computing
This is defined as the integration of a private server (or 'cloud') based in a data center on utility premises, intersecting with a public cloud based elsewhere. The rationale behind this is that some mission critical functions for utilities need to be kept secure, whereas other functions, like public information, reporting minor incidents, maintenance and weather reports can be maintained at a lower cost in the cloud.
There are definitely reasons for utilities to adopt cloud computing for some of their operations, and this will increase in future.